Allowable Surface Area is the maximum amount of square feet permitted for an individual sign. Total Allowable Surface Area is the maximum amount of aggregate square feet of signs allowed for each lot. Sign Height is the maximum height of a sign from the ground. The following principles shall control the computation of Allowable Surface Area, Total Allowable Surface Area and Sign Height.
1. Computation of Surface Area of Individual Signs. The surface area of a sign face (which is also the surface area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
2. Computation of Surface Area of Multi-Faced Signs. The surface area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 24 inches apart, the surface area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. Double-faced signs are permitted the maximum square footage on each side. Multi-faced signs shall not exceed two (2) times the area of single-faced signs.
3. Computation of Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of: (i) existing grade prior to construction; or (ii) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
4. Computation of Maximum Total Allowable Surface Area for a Lot. The Total Allowable Surface Area for signs on a lot shall be the Maximum Total Allowable Surface Area for the zoning district in which the lot is located, or the total of all non-exempt sign surfaces based on sign setbacks, street frontage, and building front, whichever is less. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted surface area for each street frontage. Total allowable area based on sign type or frontage cannot be transferred to other sign types or other frontages.
5. Computation of Ground Sign Surface Area, Setback and Height. When computing the surface area and height in relation to the required setback distance from a property line, it is permissible to prorate the allowed sign square footage and height in relation to the additional setback distance.